Evaluating the Performance of Conformal Coatings

Overview: Conformal coatings should be chosen based upon how well they protect the electronic circuit against the challenges of the end use environment. The difficulty is that not many people know how to make that evaluation. What kinds of tests can be used? What parameters should be chosen? How should the data be interpreted? This course covers various tests that are used to do base material characterizations, as well as tests which cover more functional aspects of conformal coating. While much of the testing will be from a Class 3 Avionics perspective, the methodologies covered can be extended to other industry segments.

Course Outline:

Uses of conformal coatings

Materials characterization tests for coatings

IPC-CC-830

MIL-I-46058

ASTM

Performance specifications for coatings

J-STD-001

UL-746

End Use Environments Overview

Testing of Conformal Coatings

Fluid Susceptibility

Flammability

Fungus resistance

Salt spray and salt fog

Sand and dust testing

Humidity testing – static and condensing

Waterproofness testing

Thermal cycling and thermal shock

Vibration

Heat flow

RF testing

Material compatibility

Process effects

What defects are found in these tests and what they mean

Illustrative Case Studies

Question and Answer Session

Who should view this webtorial: This course is written for individuals responsible for choosing or evaluating conformal coatings for use on electronic assemblies in harsh end use environments.

Your Instructor: The instructor for the course is Doug Pauls, a Principal Materials and Process Engineer at Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, IA. Doug is the Chairman of the IPC Cleaning and Coating committees.

Doug holds a B.A. in Chemistry and Physics from Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He worked for the Naval Avionics Center in Indianapolis, Indiana for nine years as a Materials Engineer. Doug spent 8 years as the Technical Director of Contamination Studies Laboratories, performing process troubleshooting and optimization from a residue analysis perspective. Doug is an active IPC Chairman (General Chairman - Cleaning and Coating, Bare Board Cleanliness, Solder Mask) and presently chairs the IPC Technical Activities Executive Committee. Doug is most notably known for his expertise in surface insulation resistance testing, cleaning and cleanliness assessment, conformal coatings, and how to qualify manufacturing processes. Doug moved to Rockwell Collins in 2000, serving as their corporate expert on conformal coating materials and processes. He received Rockwell’s Arthur A. Collins Engineer of the Year award in 2004.

Doug is known to have a pathological fear of free time, has been happily married for 28 years. He has 3 children and so has little free time, but does some woodworking, woodcarving, and occasionally sneaks away to do some hunting and fishing.

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